Wales to play Australia in December

The now customary post-Rugby World Cup fixture will come just a month after the William Webb Ellis Trophy has been won and give fans the chance to see the returning Wales side on home soil for the first time since the New Zealand tournament.

Wales bosses and fans alike will be hoping the fixture can be a celebration of the efforts of the squad at the 2011 RWC and can now also watch with further fascination to see what kind of performances can be expected from the Wallabies in Cardiff.

Tradition dictates that the two sides will contest the James Bevan Trophy, currently held by the Southern Hemisphere superpowers, when they meet at the national stadium and, regardless of what happens at RWC time, Wales will be looking to avenge the 25-16 home defeat of the 2010 November series.

“There is always huge demand for Autumn rugby at the Millennium Stadium as fans have become used to watching Wales face some of the best teams in the world at home fixtures,” said WRU group head of sales and marketing Craig Maxwell.

“And from Monday 19 September rugby supporters can get their hands on tickets to welcome their rugby heroes back home at the Millennium Stadium to face Australia, just a few weeks after the illustrious Rugby World Cup.

“The Wales v Australia match is the perfect culmination of Wales’ RWC efforts and the start of a new chapter as we look ahead to the 2012 6 Nations Championship and Wales fans should act fast to get their tickets to get behind the team.”

Tickets for the match will go on public sale online at www.wru.co.uk/tickets and from all the usual outlets on Monday, 19 September.